The Founding Fathers and Islam: Library Shows Early Tolerance For Muslim Faith

www.loc.gov

This from the Library of Congress:

With more than 55 million items, the Library's Manuscript Division contains the papers of 23 presidents, from George Washington to Calvin Coolidge. In this article, Manuscript Division Chief James Hutson draws upon the papers of Washington, Thomas Jefferson and other primary documents to discuss the relationship of Islam to the new nation.
Many Muslims feel unwelcome in the United States in the aftermath of September 11, according to newspaper reports. Anecdotal evidence suggests that substantial numbers of Americans view their Muslim neighbors as an alien presence outside the limits of American life and history. While other minorities—African Americans, Hispanics and Native Americans—were living within the boundaries of the present United States from the earliest days of the nation, Muslims are perceived to have had no part in the American experience.
Readers may be surprised to learn that there may have been hundreds, perhaps thousands, of Muslims in the United States in 1776—imported as slaves from areas of Africa where Islam flourished. Although there is no evidence that the Founders were aware of the religious convictions of their bondsmen, it is clear that the Founding Fathers thought about the relationship of Islam to the new nation and were prepared to make a place for it in the republic.
In his seminal Letter on Toleration (1689), John Locke insisted that Muslims and all others who believed in God be tolerated in England. Campaigning for religious freedom in Virginia, Jefferson followed Locke, his idol, in demanding recognition of the religious rights of the "Mahamdan," the Jew and the "pagan." Supporting Jefferson was his old ally, Richard Henry Lee, who had made a motion in Congress on June 7, 1776, that the American colonies declare independence. "True freedom," Lee asserted, "embraces the Mahomitan and the Gentoo (Hindu) as well as the Christian religion."

Interesting read.

Thomas Jefferson, in particular, was an outspoken leader on the issue of religious freedom.

It appears clear to me that Jefferson, among others, would not have sympathized with the proposition that America was solely a Judeo-Christian nation. He was even happy to extend tolerance to atheists. As Jefferson wrote, atheism "neither picks my pocket nor breaks my leg."

Thanks for the link! Even though I won't brag. I'm glad our Founders believed in religious freedom. They might of not been perfect and had faults in life. But God! I thank myself I'm an America everyday!

Another excerpt from an early document, emphasizing the need to encompass many faiths, not just the Christian one:

That ordinary citizens shared these positive views is demonstrated by a petition of a group of citizens of Chesterfield County, Va., to the state assembly, Nov. 14, 1785: "Let Jews, Mehometans and Christians of every denomination enjoy religious liberty…thrust them not out now by establishing the Christian religion lest thereby we become our own enemys and weaken this infant state. It is mens labour in our Manufactories, their services by sea and land that aggrandize our Country and not their creeds. Chain your citizens to the state by their Interest. Let Jews, Mehometans, and Christians of every denomination find their advantage in living under your laws."

This from the same source, the Library of Congress, as cited above:

www.loc.gov

reply to post by Sestias


That's because they are Liberals who love Muslims but hate Christianity, they probably want Sharia law and they would be happy to see the destruction of America. Wait... our founding fathers believed Muslims are not a threat?

Islam is to Catholicism as the Muhajideen is to Brzenski and the Carter administration

Watch how many idiots avoid this thread.

Arabs have been part of America since 1860.

reply to post by ghostsoldier


They already are avoiding the thread. Sad to see the rewriting of history by so called American conservatives.

Personally, I feel the word "tolerance" implies a hidden discontentment with the subject to be "tolerated." Just me being picky...

We shouldn't only tolerate faith, race, ethnicity, etc.
We should respect and embrace our differences.
Whether you like it or not, every group of people on this planet has something positive to offer you.
You have to ask yourself: "do I have anything to offer in return?"

eof rambling

reply to post by xiphias

I understand your call for multi-culturalism.

However, I think it's important to consider the historical context of these documents.

The founders of the United State came from countries where people were killing each other over religion.

In that context their call for "tolerance" was pretty revolutionary.

reply to post by ghostsoldier

Looks like your prediction was right. No activity on this thread for at least 24 hours.

Even if one doesn't like the Muslim faith, the subject of the founders' openness to all religious faiths, or none, is unique in history.

If we really do emulate the Founding Fathers (and Mothers) then we will embrace their attitudes. Insisting that America must be only Christian, or only Judeo-Christian, is in fact contrary to what they had in mind for the new democracy.

reply to post by Sestias


Yeah what a shame ey.

reply to post by ghostsoldier

Thanks! That about sums it up.

S&F for you. Most Republicans and/or members of the "Tea Party," or what I like to call "The Party of Ignorance" are probably unaware of that little piece of history. I believe that Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) was sworn in as the nation's first muslim congressman, on Thomas Jefferson's copy of the Koran.

I gotta say that I'm not a very religious person but the most divisive people that I know, most definitely are.